San Diego Injury Lawyer Blog

Ronald Troyer, 67, a suspected drunken, injured three teenagers who were walking on the sidewalk in La Jolla on August 21, 2010 around 6:30 p.m. San Diego authorities reported that the three teens, Alani Agurre, 14, Miles Ploger, and Ian Brininstool, whose ages are not known, were walking on La Jolla Boulevard when a speeding Chrysler New Yorker hit them. Two more teenagers walking with them fortunately escaped unhurt.

Alani Agurre was carried for about twenty yards on the top of the car’s hood before he was thrown into the glass window of Cass Street Café and was pinned underneath the car. Agurre sustained serious injuries, including a broken arm and a broken pelvis. All three of the teenagers were immediately transported to a local hospital for treatment.
Troyer was arrested later and charged with felony drunk driving causing injury. A complete investigation is being carried out to know the exact cause of this crash. Troyer has history of drug and alcohol abuse. It will not be a surprise if he is found to be driving under the influence of any one of these.

Under California law, it is unlawful for anyone to operate a motor vehicle under the influence of any drug or alcohol per California Vehicle Code Section 23152(a). Therefore, the injured teenagers are entitled for a compensation to cover the cost of treatment of injuries, cost of hospitalization, and other related damages. Unfortunately, the magnitude of the injuries is very high in this accident. Troyer, who has a history of past drunk driving arrests and is believed to be homeless, probably does not have adequate insurance to pay for the injuries he has caused. The children’s families would be well advised to confer with an experienced San Diego personal injury attorney.

Continue reading "Three La Jolla Teens Hurt By Suspected Drunk Driver in San Diego Pedestrian Accident" »

A 74 year-old woman sustained serious injuries in a pedestrian accident on June 15, 2010 when she was hit by a Nissan Sentra. According to the news report submitted in the Orange County Register, the injured pedestrian was walking with her dog in the 3100 block of Yorba Linda Boulevard in Fullerton when she was struck by the car.

Police officials stated that the injured lady might have stepped into the westbound lanes to go around the car, which was coming out of an apartment complex driveway. The injured woman was taken to a nearby hospital where she was treated for her injuries.

We wish the injured pedestrian a speedy and complete recovery and hope that her injuries are not life threatening. Normally, California law holds that drivers must give the right of way to pedestrians in marked crosswalks and at an intersection. Under California law, an intersection is any place where two streets come together at a right angle. However, even given these protections (which are set forth in California Vehicle Code Section 21950) does not relieve the pedestrian from exercising reasonable care for his safety.

Continue reading "Pedestrian Injured In Orange County Car Crash" »

Garcia Flores, 47-years old of Florida, was killed in a Santa Barbara pedestrian accident at Coast Village Road on May 27, 2010. Flores was walking across an intersection when she was hit by a mini-van.

The mini-van was driven by a 17 -year old driver who lost control of his van and struck Flores badly, throwing her more than a few feet away towards the intersection of Coast Village and Butterfly Lane, where she died immediately. The teenager told Police Officers that his van suddenly started to veer to the right, and when he tried hitting the brakes, they didn't work. He says that is when the van jumped the curb and hit Flores. Officials found drug paraphernalia and marijuana in the teen’s minivan, but it is not certain that he was under influence of any drug or alcohol.

We offer our condolences to Flores’s family and friends for such an irreparable and tragic loss. If the teenager is found to be under the influence of drugs, we hope that he is prosecuted as an adult to the fullest extent of the law. Regardless, if the accident was caused by the teenage driver, we hope that Flores’s family consults with a personal injury attorney and obtains key advice as to how to balance the scales of justice in this case. They will never be made whole—Flores is dead and cannot be brought back—but the civil justice system can at least help minimize some of the loss.

Continue reading "Florida Woman Killed in Santa Barbara Pedestrian Accident " »

A teenager was injured on Tuesday in Buena Park when he was stuck by a 1996 Ford Ranger. The injuries are believed to be minor to moderate. The teenager sustained some cuts and abrasions and was treated at a local emergency and discharged.

The accident happened at Knott Avenue south of the 91 Freeway around at 9:12 p.m. Buena Park Sgt. Bill Kohanek stated that the 17-year old teenager was running towards a van parked on Knott Avenue that was about to pick him up. He was accompanied by another teen and both boys were returning to the van after doing door-to-door sales. The other teen made it to the van but the second boy was struck by the truck. The van was scheduled to take them home somewhere in the Los Angeles area.

Police are still investigating the pedestrian accident.

Our office wishes the teen boy a speedy recovery and a healthy life ahead. We should all be more careful and aware of our surroundings while walking on the road as we are more vulnerable to injuries from drivers who may not be looking out for pedestrians or bicyclists. Drivers should also drive slow and carefully in residential and highly populated areas.

Continue reading "Buena Park Pedestrian Accident Injures Orange County Teen" »

A 51-year old woman was knocked down and killed by a freight train on May 18, 2010, while she was trying to cross the train tracks. This pedestrian accident took place near Coyote’s Bar and Grill in Downtown Carlsbad near the Grand Avenue railroad crossing around 10:30 p.m.

Officials stated that the train crossing’s guard was lowered and red light flashing when the woman went under rail and stepped onto the tracks. She put her arms over her head and was trying to exit the tracks when she was hit by a northbound freight train.

The victim is believed to have been arguing with her boyfriend and seemed to be taunting him when she jumped onto the train tracks.

We offer our condolences to the woman’s friends and family. Our thoughts also go out to her boyfriend who, no matter how bad the argument, did not want to see his girlfriend die in front of him. We hope that this tragic accident serves as a reminder to everyone that trains are not to be toyed with. They are extremely dangerous and cannot slow down or stop quickly to avoid people, cars, or bikes on the tracks.

Continue reading "Woman Killed in Carlsbad While Crossing Train Tracks " »

The Los Angeles Police reported that a man lost his life when he was hit by a woman driver who accidentally accelerated in a 7-Eleven parking lot. The pedestrian accident at Reseda and Burbank Boulevards around 9 p.m. on Monday, May 3, 2010, when the man was walking into the store to do some shopping.

Valley Traffic Division investigators remained at the car crash scene on Tuesday morning, more than five hours after the fatality to determine the cause of the traffic accident. The woman was found not to be driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. If that is the case, then the accident is most likely due to the pedestrian suddenly entering the path of the car, the driver being inattentive, or both.

We wish the family of the accident victim our prayers and condolences. There is nothing worse than losing a loved one. Drivers should always be careful when driving to look out for pedestrians, skateboarders, or other possible sudden impediments to their car’s path. Drivers should never assume that sudden danger will not prevent themselves.

Continue reading "Fatal Los Angeles Pedestrian Accident Happens in Parking Lot" »

An Arizona tourist suffered was killed in a San Diego pedestrian accident after she was hit by a San Diego Seal Tours vehicle in Downtown San Diego on March 18, 2010. This pedestrian accident happened at West Harbor Drive and Pacific Highway around 5 p.m.

According to a SanDiego6.com story, when police officers arrived on the scene, they found a young woman lying in the street. According to police, the amphibious tour bus hit her as she was crossing Pacific Highway illegally. The bus driver on the vehicle sits about 17-feet from the ground and never saw the pedestrian coming. A passenger on the bus saw the accident and yelled “Stop”. The bus driver then exited the vehicle and started to do CPR on the woman. She was transported to UCSD Hospital with serious injuries and later died.

Our office sends our prayers and condolences to the pedestrian’s family. The loss of any human life is always tragic and this accident is no exception. We once again urge all pedestrians to be vigilant while on the road, especially when you are crossing it. Always cross the road at an intersection after you have checked that no vehicle is coming. Following these simple rules can save your life.

However, many questions still remain. Why couldn't this bus driver see the pedestrian from his very high vantage point? Did the design of the bus itself block the view or diminish the driver's ability to see the pedestrian as she was crossing the road? Was the driver distracted by the other passengers in his bus?

Continue reading "San Diego Pedestrian Accident Kills Woman After Being Struck by Tour Bus" »

A pedestrian was left injured in San Diego hit and run auto accident that took place on March 8, 2010, in the Midway area of San Diego. The pedestrian accident occurred around 6:15p.m.

The victim was found lying face down near the intersection of Rosecrans Avenue and Cauby Street by the San Diego Police Department and a white pick-up truck was seen speeding away from the scene of the accident. The injured pedestrian was taken to UCSD Medical Center for treatment.

Our office prays for a quick recovery for the injured pedestrian. Though it’s yet unclear whose negligence caused this accident, it goes without saying that both the driver and the pedestrian need to be careful while on the road. Pedestrians must always cross the street from a designated crosswalk or at an intersection. As for drivers, besides respecting the speed limit, it is well advised to keep a look out on both sides of the road.

Continue reading "San Diego Hit And Run Car Accident Leaves Pedestrian Injured" »

An intoxicated 50-year old man in a wheelchair was struck by a car on March 7, 2010, when he rolled into a street from between two parked cars. The San Diego pedestrian accident took place about 2 a.m. in the 2800 block of University Avenue.

The victim, whose name has been withheld by police, was hit by a Honda sedan driven by a female motorist, reported San Diego Police Officer David Stafford. He suffered serious injuries to one of his legs and was taken to a hospital.

Our office wishes a quick recovery to the victim. However, this accident is a good reminder that people need to be more careful and alert while crossing road. Attempting to cross a road, when you are not in full view of a driver, especially from between two parked cars, is very dangerous. The safest place to cross the street is at a designated crosswalk. If that is not available, then the next best place is to cross at an intersection. In either case, even if the pedestrian has the right of way via a traffic signal, a pedestrian should not cross the street before checking to make sure it is safe from crossing vehicles.

Continue reading "San Diego Pedestrian Accident Injures Man in Wheelchair" »

An 18-year old pedestrian lost his life in a Carlsbad pedestrian accident on March 5, 2010. The incident took place along Palomar Airport Road between El Camino Real and Camino Vida Roble, near where Carlsbad, Vista, and San Marcos intersect in North San Diego County, around 9:45 p.m.

A witness to the accident called in the paramedics immediately following the auto vs. pedestrian accident. According to reports, the man was struck by two cars as he was crossing Palomar Airport Road. The first vehicle did not stop and the driver of a second vehicle was stopped by the Carlsbad Police after it struck the man in the road. The second driver did not realize he had struck the man in the road. The Carlsbad Police is continuing investigation after inspecting the crime scene.

Our office forwards our condolences to the family and loved ones of the deceased. We also wish that the police will track down and arrest the driver of the first vehicle—the one that struck and killed this pedestrian. There is nothing more infuriating than a careless and negligent driver who causes significant injury or death who does not stop to assist the person they just hurt. We understand that it is scary when you realize that you have injured someone with your car, but there is no excuse to ever leave the scene of an accident. Your presence is necessary to contact emergency service personnel and to perhaps provide basic life saving techniques until the ambulance can arrive. When you leave the scene of an accident, you take away that hope.

Continue reading "Carlsbad Pedestrian Accident Kills Teenager" »

A 76-year old man was arrested on February 26, 2010 for suspicion of being involved in a San Diego hit-and-run car crash in which a pedestrian was seriously injured. The injured woman, 56, had been struck by a car while walking across Market Street at 42 Street around 11 p.m. in the Mount Hope area of San Diego.

According to San Diego Police Officer David Stafford, the car's driver had run a red light when the pedestrian accident occurred. The driver then sped off, only to be later found and arrested in Santee. The driver’s name was not immediately released. The woman suffered severe injuries and was taken to a hospital.

Our office wishes a speedy recovery for the injured pedestrian. Unfortunately, pedestrians always lose when faced with cars violating their right of way. As for the arrested man, we have to say that it is really disheartening to know that he first broke ran the red light and violated the pedestrian’s right of way and, then, sped away after injuring her. At least, stop to help! The driver is now most likely facing felony hit and run charges. Prosecutors will typically charge drivers with this crime when a serious injury such as a broken bone occurs or when the victim needs surgery and the driver flees the scene of the auto accident.

Continue reading "Man Arrested in San Diego Hit-And-Run Car Wreck" »

A 35-year old jogger was killed on February 16, 2010, in a San Diego pedestrian accident when she darted into the path of an oncoming car while running with her husband and their two dogs in the East County neighborhood of Lakeside, according to authorities. The woman apparently failed to see the northbound late-model Ford Mustang when she crossed the 9400 block of Los Coches Road in the Winter Gardens area shortly before 9 a.m.

The motorist, an El Cajon woman in her early 50s, told investigators she did not see the jogger until she ran directly in front of her car.

Our office wishes to convey our sincere prayers and condolences to the family and friends of the deceased. We urge the joggers in San Diego County to be more careful. It is better advised to jog in parks rather than on roads when possible. But if you are jogging on roadways, please look out for motorists who may not expect to see you run across intersections. And please, motorists, keep an eye out for the unexpected—including pedestrians, joggers, and bicyclists.

Ross Jurewitz is an San Diego pedestrian accident lawyer and the managing attorney of the Jurewitz Law Group, a San Diego law firm dedicated to representing people seriously injured and the families of people killed by the negligence of others. If you or a loved one has been hurt or killed in a San Diego auto accident, please call Mr. Jurewitz at 888-233-5020 for a free consultation.

In addition, if you would like more information to help you or your family following an San Diego car accident, please order your free copy of Mr. Jurewitz's book, The Ten Biggest Mistakes that can Destroy Your California Accident Case. It is free to all California residents.

A 13-year old Lake Elsinore girl was killed in a Riverside County pedestrian accident on February 5, 2010, as she and another teen were struck by a Toyota pickup while crossing Mission Trail Road near the intersection at Malaga Road in Lake Elsinore. This tragic car vs. pedestrian accident took place around 7:55 p.m.

The victim, Mandy Reyes, died within a few minutes of the auto accident, where as the other teenager sustained minor injuries to both legs. The preliminary investigation revealed that the driver of the pick-up was traveling south on Mission trail in a light rain when he collided with two juveniles, reported Riverside County Sheriff Sgt. Marc Cloutier.

Our office wishes to convey our sincere prayers and condolences to the family and friends of Mandy Reyes. It is just so tragic to lose someone so young! We hope pedestrians be more careful while they attempt to cross the roads.

Ross Jurewitz is a Riverside pedestrian accident lawyer and the managing attorney of the Jurewitz Law Group, a San Diego, law firm dedicated to representing people seriously injured and the families of people killed by the negligence of others. If you or a loved one has been hurt or killed in a Lake Elsinore auto accident, please call Mr. Jurewitz at 888-233-5020 for a free consultation.

In addition, if you would like more information to help you or your family following a pedestrian accident, please order your free copy of Mr. Jurewitz's book, The Ten Biggest Mistakes that can Destroy Your California Accident Case. It is free to all California residents.

Providing fresh insight into the teen skateboarder killed by in a Vista hit and run car accident, a 92-year old man has turned himself in to authorities saying that he might be the careless driver. A vigil was held in memory of 15-year old Lucas Giaconelli, who lost his life in when a car struck and killed him as he was skateboarding along Thobodo Road in Vista in North San Diego County.

It was during the vigil itself that the 92-year old suspect came forward asking why the vigil was taking place. The deputy with the San Diego Sheriff's Department explained about the Vista pedestrian accident. When the deputy was finished, the man said he had been driving on the street around the time of the accident and thought he had hit a small animal. The man’s car was then examined and the damage was found to be consistent with the fatal auto accident.

It has to be said that, though we are all concerned with the way young people drive, thought also has to be given to the danger posed by senior citizens driving when they perhaps should not. Clearly, due to their age, they can sometimes cause serious threats to fellow drivers and pedestrians. In some cases, such as in this accident, their carelessness and inability to react quickly can even cause death.

Ross Jurewitz is a Vista car accident lawyer and the managing attorney of the Jurewitz Law Group, a San Diego, CA law firm dedicated to representing people seriously injured and the families of people killed by the negligence of others. If you or a loved one has been hurt or killed in a Vista auto accident, please call Mr. Jurewitz at 888-233-5020 for a free consultation.

In addition, if you would like more information to help you or your family following a hit and run auto accident or a car vs. skateboarder accident, please order your free copy of Mr. Jurewitz's book, The Ten Biggest Mistakes that can Destroy Your California Accident Case. It is free to all California residents.

A 15-year old Vista boy was killed by a hit and run driver in a tragic Vista car accident while he was skateboarding on Thibodo Road east of Edna Way. The teenager, identified as Lucas Giaconelli, was a freshman at Rancho Buena Vista High School.

This tragic accident happened on Friday, January 29,2010, around 7 p.m., when Lucas was struck from behind by a high-speed 1990 Toyota Camry while he was skateboarding with his friends. Lucas was knocked down to the street and was taken to an Escondido hospital where he succumbed to his injuries within an hour of arrival. The suspected driver was said to be driving a white model of Camry with tinted windows. It is believed to have a broken headlight and front-end damage, reported Sheriff’s Deputies.

Serious pedestrian accidents like these tend to shake our trust and faith in humanity. How cruel is it to leave anyone, most of all a child, gravely injured and bleeding on the road? The entire Vista community is shocked and grieving! Our office wishes to convey our sincere prayers and condolences to the family and friends of Lucas Giaconelli in such heartbreaking times. We hope for the accused to be caught soon.

Ross Jurewitz is a Vista personal injury lawyer and the managing attorney of the Jurewitz Law Group, a San Diego, CA law firm dedicated to representing people seriously injured and the families of people killed by the negligence of others. If you or a loved one has been hurt or killed in a Vista pedestrian accident, please call Mr. Jurewitz at 888-233-5020 for a free consultation.

In addition, if you would like more information to help you or your family following a hit and run car accident or skateboarding accident, please order your free copy of Mr. Jurewitz's book, The Ten Biggest Mistakes that can Destroy Your California Accident Case. It is free to all California residents.

A 15-year old Vista boy was killed by a hit and run driver in a tragic Vista car accident while he was skateboarding on Thibodo Road east of Edna Way. The teenager, identified as Lucas Giaconelli, was a freshman at Rancho Buena Vista High School.

This tragic accident happened on Friday, January 29, 2010, around 7 p.m., when Lucas was struck from behind by a high-speed 1990 Toyota Camry while he was skateboarding with his friends. Lucas was knocked down to the street and was taken to an Escondido hospital where he succumbed to his injuries within an hour of arrival. The suspected driver was said to be driving a white model of Camry with tinted windows. It is believed to have a broken headlight and front-end damage, reported Sheriff’s Deputies.

Serious pedestrian accidents like these tend to shake our trust and faith in humanity. How cruel is it to leave anyone, most of all a child, gravely injured and bleeding on the road? The entire Vista community is shocked and grieving! Our office wishes to convey our sincere prayers and condolences to the family and friends of Lucas Giaconelli in such heartbreaking times. We hope for the accused to be caught soon.

Ross Jurewitz is a Vista personal injury lawyer and the managing attorney of the Jurewitz Law Group, a San Diego, CA law firm dedicated to representing people seriously injured and the families of people killed by the negligence of others. If you or a loved one has been hurt or killed in a Vista pedestrian accident, please call Mr. Jurewitz at 888-233-5020 for a free consultation.

In addition, if you would like more information to help you or your family following a hit and run car accident or skateboarding accident, please order your free copy of Mr. Jurewitz's book, The Ten Biggest Mistakes that can Destroy Your California Accident Case. It is free to all California residents.

A woman crossing the intersection of Rancho Bernardo Road and Pomerado Boulevard in the Rancho Bernardo area of San Diego was struck and killed as she walked with a small child. The elderly female driver of the car was not charged as a result of the collision and it was unclear what the relationship was between the woman and the child.

We are deeply saddened to learn about this accident. At the time of this story it is unclear how or why the accident occurred. However, it is always tragic when a life is lost and our thoughts and prayers go out to her friends and family for their loss.

If you or a loved one has ever been injured or killed in a San Diego auto accident, contact San Diego car wreck lawyer Ross Jurewitz and the San Diego car accident attorneys of the Jurewitz Law Group at (619) 233-5020. You may also contact these San Diego, CA personal injury lawyers online here.

A San Diego DUI car accident killed a pedestrian when she was struck while walking along the sidewalk in Poway, CA. Kristen Bedard was walking northbound along Community Road on November 23, 2009, when she was struck by a southbound car driven by Becky Marie Anderson. Anderson's car veered off the road and hit Bedard. Bedard was declared dead on the scene and San Diego County Sheriff's Deputies arrested Anderson for DUI and vehicular manslaughter.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Kristen Bedard's family and friends for their loss. There is no excuse for someone to be intoxicated and driving a car, let alone intoxicated enough to veer across the road and strike a person in an early morning car accident. We recommend that they consult with a qualified, experienced, and aggressive San Diego personal injury attorney who can provide them with a free consultation and advice.

If you or a loved one has ever been injured or killed in a San Diego pedestrian accident, contact San Diego car crash lawyer Ross Jurewitz and the San Diego car accident attorneys of the Jurewitz Law Group at (619) 233-5020. You may also contact these San Diego, CA personal injury lawyers online here.

A San Diego County boy was struck by a motor vehicle in Rancho Penasquitos, leaving him seriously injured, according to police. The boy is only 15 years old.

The collision occurred just after 7 a.m. when the boy was trying to run across Carmel Mountain Road on the 13500 block of the residential neighborhood. San Diego police officer Brad Ruff reports that the teenager was around Defreitas Avenue on Carmel Mountain Road. The boy suffered a compound fracture in his left leg, and needed paramedic assistance to take him to a hospital, where he was treated. Due to the injury, Black Mountain Road heading south was closed between Oviedo Street and Carmel Mountain Road closed until 11 a.m. for the accident to be investigated.

If you or a loved one has ever been injured or killed in a San Diego pedestrian accident, contact San Diego, CA pedestrian accident lawyer Ross Jurewitz and the San Diego personal injury lawyers of the Jurewitz Law Group at (619) 233-5020. You may also contact these San Diego injury lawyers online here

A pedestrian walking along Interstate 8 near College Avenue in San Diego was killed on September 3, 2009, when they were struck by a car. The accident happened on the westbound lanes near the SDSU campus around 1 a.m.

The victim was declared dead at the scene. Their name has not yet been released but it was determined that alcohol was not a factor in causing the pedestrian accident.

If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in a San Diego pedestrian accident, contact San Diego pedestrian accident lawyer Ross Jurewitz and the San Diego, CA personal injury attorneys of the Jurewitz Law Group at (619) 233-5020. You may also contact these California injury lawyers online here for a free consultation.

For a free copy of our California injury book, The Ten Biggest Mistakes that can Destroy Your California Injury Case, contact our office. It is full of helpful information for injury accident victims and is free to all Californians.

A concert was held on August 29, 2009,to honor and benefit a young girl who was struck by a car while on vacation and remains in critical condition even today. Rebecca Martin, 11, has been hospitalized in Southern California since August 13, when she was struck by a car while crossing the street near her grandmother's house.

She had even been inside of the crosswalk, but the car going 30 mph hit her regardless, throwing her 15-20 feet in the air before she landed on the hood of the vehicle. She had to be transported to the University of Southern California Medical Center, where she still lays in stable condition, although with a fractured pelvis, bruised lungs, and brain injury. She is still unresponsive and in a coma, and sister Victoria regularly updates her feelings on the situation via CaringBridge.org.

The benefit concert entitled ''Becca Shines'', is scheduled for Saturday at 7p.m. at Pau-Wa-Lu Middle School, 701 Long Valley Road in Garderville, Nevada.

If you or a loved one has ever died or been injured in a Southern California car accident, contact California auto accident lawyer Ross Jurewitz and the California personal injury lawyers of the Jurewitz Law Group at (619) 233-5020. You may also contact these California injury lawyers online here

A pedestrian walkway collapse at a construction site in the East Village of Downtown San Diego has claimed its' second fatality nearly one year after the initial accident. James Barham was recently found dead after accidentally overdosing on the painkillers he took for the back and knee injuries suffered in the 2008 walkway collapse. He had been waiting for surgery to repair his injuries.

The San Diego pedestrian death occurred at a housing project site on Imperial Avenue in Downtown San Diego nearly a year ago on August 28, 2008. An astounding sixteen people were injured when the walkway, set up to divert pedestrians around the construction site, collapsed. Another victim of the accident, Tyrone Allen, also died months after the accident as a result of his injuries.

A friend of the Barham reported that his injuries had severely affected him both emotionally and physically. The Tylenol he had been taking was not enough for the pain he was experiencing and he recently went to the doctor for stronger medication and was described Percocet. Friends think he just lost track of his medication because of the pain. The accident caused him to rely on a cane to walk shortly before his death.

If you or anyone you know has ever been injured or killed in a San Diego pedestrian accident, please contact San Diego pedestrian accident lawyer Ross Jurewitz and the other San Diego, CA injury attorneys of the Jurewitz Law Group at (619) 233-5020. You may also contact these San Diego, CA accident lawyers online here.

A Southern California boy was killed last week when he was crossing a street in Los Angeles. The 14-year-old boy from Inglewood named Semaj Spencer was the tragic victim of this hit and run pedestrian accident. The suspect of the death has been charged with misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter and a felony count of leaving the scene of an accident.

Prosecutors in the case note that 40-year-old Andre Thompson of South Los Angeles had also been charged on Thursday with driving under a suspended or revoked license, which is considered a misdemeanor in California. Thompson has pleaded not guilty to his charges in an Inglewood Superior Court, however. He also reportedly turned himself into police earlier this week and was subsequently arrested in the death of young Semaj Spencer. The teen boy was struck by the vehicle and killed last Sunday when he crossed the road at Imperial Highway in Los Angeles.

If you or a loved one has ever been injured or killed in a Los Angeles hit and run car accident, contact Los Angeles car accident lawyer Ross Jurewitz and the other Los Angeles injury lawyers at the Jurewitz Law Group at (619) 233-5020. You may also contact these Los Angeles, CA personal injury attorneys online here.

A fatal San Diego pedestrian accident occurred over the weekend when a man and his dog were killed by a car while they were crossing the street, according to San Diego police. The victim was soon identified by the County Medical Examiner's Office as 79-year-old Billy Don Viele.

Viele had been crossing Rancho Bernardo Road close to Via Del Campo in the Rancho Bernardo area of San Diego just before 10 a.m. on August 1, 2009, with two of his dogs when they were hit by a Ford Mustang. Witnesses to the accident called 911, and medics arrived on the scene worked to resuscitate Viele, but were unsuccessful. Viele was married and lived in San Diego. One of the dogs survived.

If you or anyone you know has ever been injured or killed in a San Diego pedestrian accident, please contact San Diego personal injury lawyer Ross Jurewitz and the San Diego injury attorneys at the Jurewitz Law Group at (619) 233-5020. You may also contact these personal injury lawyers in San Diego online here.

An eastbound San Diego trolley in Downtown San Diego struck and killed a pedestrian over the weekend on the afternoon of July 12, 2009, authorities say.

The fatal trolley accident occurred on the trolley line on C Street between Fourth and Fifth Avenues, shortly after 3 p.m., Sgt. Ramona Hastings of the San Diego Police Department said. A dispatcher of the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department said that the victim died at the scene and that streets in the immediate surroundings were closed for investigations, which had not been concluded as of Tuesday morning. The victim's name had not been released. You can read more about this San Diego trolley accident in this SanDiegoNewsNetwork.com story.

Continue reading "Downtown San Diego Trolley Accident Kills Pedestrian" »

On the evening of July 7, 2009, a 4-year-old girl from Carlsbad was hit by a car and flown to San Diego's Rady Children's Hospital after the accident to treat serious injuries.

Carlsbad fire Battalion Chief Mike Lopez reported that it had happened on the 3400 block of Monroe Street just near Carlsbad High School. The girl suffered from a broken leg when she was boarded onto the medical helicopter to be flown in for treatment, but that at the time she was conscious and alert.

The motor vehicle and pedestrian collision was ruled an accident, and the driver was not arrested. The girl was hit while chasing a ball out into the street as a northbound Chevrolet Suburban was approaching and struck her leg. As of last Wednesday, she was doing okay in the hospital. You can read more about this Carlsbad pedestrian accident in this North County Times story.

Continue reading "4-Year-Old Child Hit in Carlsbad Pedestrian Accident" »

San Diego has recently had its eyes on the almost unprecedented tragedy in a fatal pedicab ride. On July 4, a 60-year-old passenger who took a ride from a pedicab driver in the Downtown district died as a result of the ride after she fell from the wagon and suffered life threatening head injuries that ultimately took her life.

A report claims that the 23-year-old driver, Sukru Safa Cinar was riding in an unsafe and eratic manner when the passenger, 60-year-old school teacher Sharon Miller, slipped from the pedicab and struck her head on the ground. The exact charge against the driver, who was arrested, is still unknown. SDPD spokesperson Monica Munoz mentioned that the driver used poor judgment when driving on the Martin Luther King Promenade on the north side of the trolley tracks, near 2nd and J Street in the San Diego Gaslamp District. The area where the accident took place is clearly marked for no bicycles, skateboards, or pedicabs. Munoz mentioned that the driver was swerving from left to right as he rode. Miller and her husband had been in town for a National Education Conference, and she was riding with another female passenger when she fell to her death.

Miller was taken to the UCSD Medical Center where she died Sunday evening. The driver remained on the scene to answer police question about the incident. You can read more about this San Diego pedicab accident in this 10News.com story.

Continue reading "Woman Dies in San Diego Pedicab Accident" »

A pedestrian on San Diego's State Route 94 who was killed last week has recently been identified.

Patrick Edward Crowe, 51, was the victim of the fatal pedestrian accident in San Diego when he was reportedly dancing on the shoulder of highway state Route 94 when he ran into traffic last week was identified on Tuesday by the Medical Examiner's Officer.

Continue reading "Fatal San Diego Pedestrian Accident on State Route 94" »

The victim of the Normal Heights hit-and-run fatality in San Diego County previously reported on by the Jurewitz Law Group (Police Search for Suspect in Fatal San Diego Hit-and-Run Car Accident)has recently been identified. Yesterday, the man killed while walking across the 3200 block of Meade Ave at 1:30 a.m. was made known to be Carl Marvin Duresseau, 53.

Duresseau suffered massive head injuries when he was hit by a car traveling eastbound on Meade Avenue, after which the vehicle that hit him sped off. Duresseau died at the scene. The only details known of the car was that it was a newer white hatchback. You can read more about this San Diego pedestrian accident in this 10news.com story.

Continue reading "Hit-and-Run Pedestrian Accident Victim Identified" »

San Diego police are searching for the driver of a car that allegedly left the scene of the fatal hit-and-run auto accident that occurred early Sunday morning in the Normal Heights neighborhood of San Diego.

The victim of the accident, who is only known so far as a male in his 30s, was struck and killed just after 1:30 a.m. around the 3200 block of Meade Ave. The victim was hit by another vehicle and the victim suffered massive head injuries before being declared dead at the scene. There was no reported license plate of the suspected car that drove off, it was only described as a newer white hatchback. You can read more about this pedestrian accident in San Diego in this Examiner.com story.

Continue reading "Police Search for Suspect in Fatal San Diego Hit-and-Run Car Accident" »

North San Diego County recently saw the unveiling of a pedestrian bridge, to help walkers and bikers traverse Lake Hodges, usually traveled by those going between destinations in Escondido and San Diego.

Many who took this route have long been waiting for an alternate to having to take the busy Interstate 15, which has experienced many accidents and deaths in San Diego. Frank Lary, a cyclist who frequently was forced to take this highway over the lake noted that it was "very uncomfortable. I was always looking back at the cars, seeing people on their cell phones and not paying attention."

The San Dieguito River Park officially opened the highly anticipated pedestrian path on May 15, 2009, just in time for San Diego's Bike to Work Day. Having been in the works for about a decade, the 990-foot-long span is not only a slim stress-ribbon bridge, but it is the longest stress-ribbon bridge in the world. The $10.5 million bridge is designed to safely guide cyclists and pedestrians over Lake Hodges and out of the way of automobiles. It is constructed of steel, tensioned steel cable, concrete, and precast concrete panels.

The David Kreitzer Lake Hodges Bcycle Pedestrian Bridge, as it has been named, will be open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. It has benches on two points of its' long span. Horses and fishing are both banned along the bridge. You can read more about this Escondido pedestrian bridge opening in this SignOnSanDiego.com story.

Continue reading "Escondido Pedestrian Bridge Opened in North San Diego County" »

A Carlsbad pedestrian accident occurred Sunday, May 3, at the intersection of El Camino Real and Kelly Drive in Carlsbad when a pedestrian was struck by car just before 8:30 p.m. Carlsbad police Sgt. Paul Mendes reported that the Carlsbad pedestrian was taken to Scripps La Jolla Hospital with numerous critical injuries.

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Continue reading "Carlsbad Pedestrian Seriously Injured After Being Hit by Car" »

Children all around San Diego County enjoy playing hide-and-seek in the evening with their neighborhood friends. Many children play all along their street and neighborhood paying little attention when crossing. Last week in North Encanto, an 11-year-old boy was playing a hide-and-seek game when he ran in front of a tow truck and was hit. The truck accident happened on the 6800 block of Madera Street.

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San Diego authorities have stated that the tow truck driver did everything he could to avoid hitting the child but was not able to do so.. The driver does not appear to be at fault. You can read more about this San Diego pedestrian accident in this CBS8.com story.

Continue reading "San Diego Boy Injured in Tow Truck Accident" »

A 90-year-old Chula Vista pedestrian was hit by a car nearby Broadway and Park Way in on April 1st at approximately 8 p.m. According to the San Diego County Medical Examiner's Office, the man was taken off life-support on Saturday afternoon because of the deterioration of his medical status. The Chula Vista pedestrian suffered a head injury with internal bleeding. You can read more in this SignOnSanDiego.com story.

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The victim's identity was not made public so that San Diego County officials could notify the family about the death.

Continue reading "Chula Vista Pedestrian Dies After Being Struck by Car" »

The San Diego County Medical Examiner's office reported last week that a 9-year-old boy was struck by a car near Riverview Elementary School in Lakeside. The boy was walking along Winter Gardens Boulevard south of Knoll Crest Place around 4 p.m. on April 6, 2009, when the fatal Lakeside pedestrian accident happened. The boy was taken to Rady Children's Hospital where he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival. His name has not been released. You can read more about this Lakeside car accident in this 10news.com story.

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Continue reading "Lakeside Child Pedestrian Hit by Car, Dies" »

When cars driven by drunk drivers strike pedestrians in San Diego County, the result is never good. Unfortunately that was the case again this past Sunday, March 22, when Ester Quinette Monroe, 28, of Spring Valley, was struck by a suspected drunk driver as she walked on Broadway between C and D Streets in Chula Vista. You can read more about this Chula Vista car accident here in this SignOnSanDiego.com story.

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The 2 a.m. Chula Vista pedestrian accident caused Monroe to be rushed to the hospital where she passed away. The 26-year-old female car driver was arrested of driving under the influence.

Continue reading "Pedestrian Struck by Car, Killed in Chula Vista Accident" »

A 7 year-old-boy was hit by a Volvo station wagon driven by a 59 year-old-woman at about 5:20 p.m. on March 18 in the Carmel Valley area of San Diego. The boy was skateboarding in the parking lot of an apartment complex when he was hit by the car. The boy slid under the car and broke several of his bones including a broken pelvis, fibula, and tibia. The woman was not hurt. You can read more in this 10news.com story.

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When driving through a neighborhood or a residential area, San Diego car drivers must make sure to drive slowly and pay attention to any children that might be playing in the area. Many times, children will be more enthralled in whatever game they are playing than in whether cars are driving by or not. Therefore, it is up to us as San Diego car drivers to be cautious and aware of children playing.

Continue reading "San Diego Boy Hit by Car and Seriously Injured in Carmel Valley" »

On March 17, just before 7:30 a.m., an 82-year-old San Diego pedestrian was struck crossing Kramer Street in the Linda Vista area of San Diego. 21-year-old eastbound driver said that at the time of the car accident the sun was in her eyes and did not see the pedestrian crossing. The San Diego Police Department reported that the pedestrian, who was in the crosswalk when he was hit, was taken to the hospital for treatment of "very critical", possibly life threatening, injuries. You can learn more in this San Diego Fox 6 story.

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When driving during the day, especially during sunrise and sunset, San Diego drivers should make sure to wear sunglasses. They will not only protect the eyes from UV rays but they will make the glare less powerful and give them more visibility, making them safer drivers.

If you or someone you know has ever been injured or killed while walking across the street, please contact the San Diego pedestrian accident attorneys at the Jurewitz Law Group at 619-233-5020 or contact them online.

Yesterday morning, a San Diego pedestrian walking just east of I-5 near Balboa Park was hit by a San Diego Unified School District bus, suffering minor injuries. You can learn more in this 10news.com story.

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The bus crash happened at around 8:30 a.m. at the intersection of Hawthorn and Albatross streets. The California Highway Patrol reported that none of the 42 bus passengers were hurt. However, no other facts have been reported.

The bus driver's actions will hopefully be investigated soon and if the pedestrian needs any further medical care, he should be provided with monies to take care of his medical and lost expenses for the bus driver's carelessness.

If you or someone you know has been injured or killed while crossing the street please contact the San Diego pedestrian accident attorneys at the Jurewitz Law Group at 619-233-5020 or contact them online here.

Yesterday we posted a story about an unidentified pedestrian killed in Ramona car crash. Our post can be found here.That pedestrian turned out to be Jens Roger Noet, a 34-year-old man, or, according to 10 news, a "transient." Noet was headed down Main Street between Fifth and Sixth Streets in Ramona on Wednesday when he was fatally struck by a semi-truck.

This information was brought to our attention through 10 news and our hats off to them for providing the story (found here), which helps remind San Diego residents about being cautious when walking next to a street and also when driving. However, it is very unnerving to see that they have the audacity to tag him, not once. but twice as a "transient." Jens Roger Noet was just killed by a truck driver and instead of writing a tactful article about the events they instead belittle him.

As stated yesterday, if the Jurewitz Law Group was asked to represent the pedestrian's family, our lawyers would work diligently to discover the facts about the accident and give Noet, a member of our community, the respect he deserves.

Continue reading "Jens Roger Noet Identified as Man Killed in Ramona Pedestrian Accident" »

An unidentified pedestrian, in the Ramona section of San Diego, was killed after being hit by in a semi-truck accident Wednesday morning while crossing the street.

The accident happened just after 2:30 a.m. when the driver of the truck was heading west on Main Street at the intersection with 7th Street. According to the driver, the pedestrian appeared to come out of nowhere and appeared in front of the truck. The truck driver stopped after the impact and found the man’s body pinned under the truck.

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Both lanes of Main Street were closed until 5 a.m. while the California Highway Patrol investigated the accident. At the time of publishing this entry, the cause of the accident was still under investigation.

If our office was approached by the pedestrian's family, we would first have to determine what happened that early morning. We would hire a professional accident investigator and private investigator to track down witnesses and to document the facts of the accident, including sight lines for the truck driver, the traffic controls available at the intersection, and obtaining witness statements. If the pedestrian was in the crosswalk, had the right of way, or even if the driver was not paying attention while he was driving, the pedestrian's family might have a strong case for their wrongful death claim.

Continue reading "Ramona Pedestrian Killed After Being Hit by Truck" »

Early Saturday morning, an unlicensed driver struck and killed a pedestrian, Mohamed Abdirahman Husien, while he was crossing the street in San Diego. The car accident occurred along University Avenue, near Winona Avenue, in the City Heights neighborhood of San Diego. Husien was on his way to morning prayer services at a nearby mosque. The news source for this post can be found here.

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San Diego Police officers said that Husien was crossing the street against a red light when a Honda sedan hit him. The driver said that he did not see Husein crossing in the darkness. Also, right after the crash, the driver went home, picked up his wife, and returned to the scene to explain what had happened. This is illegal in California--you cannot leave the scene of a California car accident where someone is killed and you must call the police.

Husien was taken to Scripps Mercy Hospital in Hillcrest where he passed away.

The intersection of University Avenue and Winona Avenue was closed to motorists until about 9:30 a.m. while the San Diego Police Department investigated the car crash. San Diego Police officers said that they do not know whether the driver will face charges or not, even though he was illegally driving without a driver's license.

Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for the police and district attorney not to charge an unlicensed driver involved in a serious accident where some facts suggest that the unlicensed driver may not be at-fault for causing the car wreck. According to the news story, it seems Husein may have been at-fault for crossing against a red stop light. Then again, that fact may not be true since the only witness identified in the story is the unlicensed driver. Obviously, it is a very self-serving statement.

Continue reading "Pedestrian Mohamed Abdirahman Husien Struck By Car And Killed On Way to Services in San Diego" »

Sometimes you can't make up the news.

Father Joe Carroll--the San Diego advocate for the poor and homeless--hit two homeless men crossing the street in the crosswalk at the intersection of 16th Street and F Street in Downtown San Diego on January 31.

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Isaac McGill and Douglass Edwards, the two homeless men, were carrying their sleeping bags and bundles of clothes when suddenly Carroll's car turned the corner and hit them. McGill reported that he yelled out "Stop the car!" a few times, but he was hit anyway. Carroll pulled over after the accident to address the incident. Carroll contends that the two men appeared all of a sudden and that he was unable to stop the car in time.

Both Edwards and McGill were injured that evening. Edwards was treated at Scripps Mercy Hospital. He was given a protective collar, which he wares when he goes to sleep outdoors at night. McGill was several days later, complaining of pain in a knee, toe, and lower back.

A woman was hit and severely injured an alleged drunk driver as she was crossing the intersection of Reed Avenue and Mission Boulevard in the Pacific Beach area of San Diego.

The driver of the car--Alan Mabrey, 45, of San Diego--initially walked away from the scene but returned later where he was arrested by the San Diego police.

San Diego police officials reported that the accident victim suffered life-threatening head injuries. Mabrey is expected to be charged with felony driving under the influence.

UPDATED (2/10/09): The victim was identified as Emily Cathleen Dowdy. Our prayers go out to her family. If there is anything our office can do, please do not hesitate to ask.

Early in the morning today, a San Diego man was seriously injured when he was struck by a car while crossing the street at the intersection of Genesee Avenue and La Jolla Village Drive in the University Town Center area of La Jolla.

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The 70-year-old man was crossing the intersection against a red traffic signal when he was struck by a 1983 Toyota sedan driven by a San Diego woman. The woman had the right of way, saw the man at the last second, but could not stop in time.

The man was transported to the hospital with a fractured left leg.

If you're a pedestrian, please always be careful crossing the street--particularly against a red light. We hope that this gentleman regains his health--fractured bones at his age are particularly serious--but this story provides a reminder of one of the most important rules of the road.